Welcome to Litsy!

Thanks to all the fabulous readers and crime writers for turning up at last night‘s Noir at the Bar, NYC at Shade Bar in Greenwich Village.
Writers pictured above (from L to R) are:
Thomas Pluck, John Vercher, Jen Conley, Scott Adlerberg, Rob Hart, Hillary Davidson, Alex Segura, Angie Kim, Ava Black, Adrian McKinty.

“If you liked The Girl On The Train you will love this book.” —Shamus-Award Winning Author, Paul D. Marks
“Eloquent and moving.” —Book-of-the-Year Award-Winning Author, Renee James
“Excellent debut....” —Raymond Benson, author of James Bond (1996-2002).

Find out why award-winning authors and avid readers raved about a novel that literary agents deemed, “too non-commercial for mass-market readers.” Now available at a special price on Amazon.

Join award-winning authors in a New-York-Magazine-recognized setting on Sunday, July 14, the day after Thrillerfest, for readings from their latest crime fiction publications. Topics to be explored include mental health, gentrification, and murder.
No admittance fee. No minimum drink purchase. Book giveaways which included signed copies!
Hope to see you there.
Noir at the Bar
Shade Bar
241 Sullivan Street
Greenwich Village, Manhattan

I finally got a chance to read this and I really enjoyed it! Bipolar and schizophrenia run in both sides of my family, so I'm familiar with the symptoms and how difficult it can be for those who suffer with these diagnoses, especially when they're not receiving the right treatment. Thank you for sending me your book and sharing this story with me, @Ava_Black ! I'll be sure to spread the word!

Blush of Love. What a shit name. Why don't they call it "Overpriced-Tinted-Beeswax-For-Those-Desperate-To-Belong-To-The-Suburban-Chicago-Clique Pink?" That'd be more fitting. (p. 1)

Made me laugh out loud more than it probably should, but it's so apt.

@24in48 #24in48

My cat photo-bombed. #GhostCat #catsoflitsy

#manicmonday @JoScho

Book: Ava Black - Bug Jar (because that was the face I made when I read what @Ava_Black had written into the signed copy for me)
Film: Star Trek Into Darkness - hello Baddie Cumberbatch
Song is easy: Coldplay - A Sky Full Of Stars

Quite like the emoji idea!

Thank you to THE BOOK CELLAR in Lincoln Square (Chicago) for hosting tonight‘s spectacular reading of THE BUG JAR. And thank you to the readers who took time from their busy schedules to attend. Standing room only!

Hello, Littens!
You are invited to discuss how mental illness, mistresses, murder, and one very nasty politician influenced the Chicago-based psychological thriller THE BUG JAR on Sunday, January 13 at 57th Street Books in Hyde Park, Chicago, from 3 p.m until 4. This event is free! All are welcome.

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks thank you thank you thank you!!!!! I love these books so much! And I haven‘t read either of them but have been wanting to for some time now so this was such a perfect gift! Thank you for thinking of me but most of all thank you for being you and for your friendship! This past year would not have been the same without you!!! I truly hope you have a magical Christmas!!! Love you dear friend!!! ❤️🎄☃️😘

Well this was a quick and entertaining read! Thank you again to @Ava_Black for sharing her book with me🧡 I honestly did not see some of those twists coming and I consider myself a savvy reader 😁

This just arrived today and words can‘t express how excited I am! Thank you so much @Ava_Black for sending this all the way to me and also for the lovely inscription. I can‘t wait to begin!

A big Thank You 🙏 to author @Ava_Black for generously sending me a copy of her book! I look forward to reading this and this fits perfectly for one of the prompts of my reading challenge this year. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving 🧡 🦃 🥧.

Chicagoland Littens:
Meet the latest mystery sensations on Saturday, Nov. 24th at Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore in Forest Park, Il from 10-5. Walk the author gallery to chat with your favorite mystery writers about the latest releases, literary movements, your favorite novels, and other trending topics. I'll be in the gallery from 1-3 discussing The Bug Jar. : )

A really special Thank You and shout out to author @Ava_Black who so generously shipped me a copy of her book!!! I greatly appreciate the monetary expense she undertook, so a reader across the globe could have access to her work. 🙏🏻Looking forward to reading this twisty crime novel.

Thank you, Minneapolis for an incredible afternoon filled with champagne, chocolates, and murder at Once Upon A Crime Bookstore! Always so much fun connecting IRL with mystery readers and writers. ❤

It arrived!

Thank you, @Ava_Black ! I love the dedication.

Guess I know what I'll be reading for the #24B4Monday #readathon @Andrew65 @TheReadingMermaid.

I really enjoyed this book. It started out strong and then dove into so many directions that kept me interested and curious. Underneath the mystery and suspense there was a glimpse into the horrors of the mental health system and the way people are treated who suffer from any form of mental illness. I loved the ending and how much was packed into this short novel. Thank you @Ava_Black for the opportunity to read your book!

This is a gripping read the main character Samantha Holland has a mental illness that is not properly cared for or diagnosed. I found myself turning the pages wanting to get to know Samantha better. Is she a unreliable narrator, how is she able to hold herself together with every plot twist & turn?
Check out my full review:
https://griplitgrl.wordpress.com/2018/11/15/the-bug-jar-by-ava-black/?preview=tr...

@Ava_Black this just arrived, thank you so much. Thank you also for the lovely inscription and I agree, mental health issues should not have any stigma and be treated as seriously as any physical health problems. It‘s a great book and a treasure for me now ❤️❤️

Sure cat- you can use my book to scratch your face 😂
Living with my sisters cat, when Iv never really owned a cat, is interesting. And occasionally scary. (She‘s so silent and comes out of nowhere 😂) but she makes a good reading buddy. ❤️

Starting this one tonight.

I really enjoyed this book!! Just when I thought I had things figured out there would be another twist!! Mental illness is a condition that I see unfortunately everyday. I wish there was more help for these patients! I loved Sam and I loved the ending!! Can‘t wait for your next book @Ava_Black 👏🏻👏🏻

I needed a quick, good book to read this weekend on my trip out east and this fit the bill. A story of a woman accussed of murdering her lover‘s step son. But she has mental illness and has just recenty been correctly diagnosed. She begins to question what happened and begins to find the truth. A real page-turner and just a fun read.
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @CoffeeNBooks

And thank you @Ava_Black

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! I liked the mystery of it, and trying to put all of the pieces of it together in order to make sense of the puzzle. I made a few wrong assumptions and was surprised at the end. As you're reading, you wonder what's reality, and what Sam is experiencing due to her mental illness, just as she does as she's coping with her life.

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @AmyG

I‘m on chapter 17 @CoffeeNBooks and @AmyG !!
Really enjoying this one and can‘t wait to see what happens next with Sam! I heard this song today and it made me think of this book and Sam!

It‘s so sad that so many people deal with this everyday.. My mother being one of them... 😔

https://www.google.com/search?q=im+a+mess&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safa...

Trying out the holiday coffee flavors this morning. Of these three, my favorite is the Eggnog. Two more holiday flavors to try tomorrow morning. #coffeeandabook

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks & @AmyG - my goal is to read through chapter 28 today... although I might not be able to put it down! I'm compelled to keep reading at this point to see where it's going.

Saturday morning #coffeeandabook. This strawberry cheesecake coffee is super yummy!!

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks & @AmyG- Do we have a reading schedule for this book? How much have you two read so far?

Hoping to get some reading done this weekend!!!
#Pumpkin
#FallintoReading

Book mail! @Ava_Black I got it! Thank you so much. The inscription was so nice 😊 I am so happy to have this one for my singed shelf. Thank you a million times !

Yay to book mail! Thanks again @Ava_Black ! Looking forward to reading this!

I‘m ready!! Are y‘all?! 🖤❤️🖤❤️
@CoffeeNBooks @AmyG

“Normal is a state of mind that sane people disregard.”

#AmazonGiveaway
Still haven't won your copy of the 5-star #psychologicalthriller THE BUG JAR yet? Don't fret! Head on over to Amazon to enter the #Kindle giveaway from today, Monday, Nov. 5, until next Monday, Nov. 12. 25 entrants will win! Good luck! 🍀
#giveaway #giveaways

INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL POP-UP GIVEAWAY!

To celebrate the iconic Mysterious Bookshop in NYC stocking the new psych thriller THE BUG JAR, you can now win 1 of 5 signed copies on Litsy! Drop your favorite author quote and country of residence below, before 3p.m. CST on Sun., Nov. 4th, for your chance to win. 2 of 5 copies are reserved for Littens outside the U.S. Winning Littens may message a mailing address to Avablackbooks@gmail.com. Good luck! 🍀

This book. I could not put it down. I experienced so many emotions while reading this book. There is a slow burn in the beginning, then the end spirals into a tornado of murder, infidelity, and sexy police officers. If you haven‘t read this, you are definitely missing out.

New York City Readers:
The new psychological thriller THE BUG JAR is now available at the iconic Mysterious Bookshop in Tribeca. It is an enormous honor for this indie pubbed novel to be carried in a bookshop alongside Big 5 new releases and classics. Thank you, Mysterious, for taking a chance on indie! ❤️

Less than 48 hours left!
Enter the #goodreadsgiveaway where you can win your digital copy of the new #psychologicalthriller THE BUG JAR, featuring Samantha Holland, the mentally-ill mistress of a Chicago mayoral candidate who is accused of murdering his son. Contest closes on Halloween. Good luck! 🍀
#giveaway #giveaways #crimefiction #thriller #mystery #suspense

Harper! Thank you sooo much for this birthday gift!! When I saw it I was thinking 🤔 hmmm I know I haven‘t ordered anything from amazon!! And then I saw the sweet note inside!! You are awesome and so thoughtful!! Thank you so much!! 💗💗💗💗💗

#BirthdayLove
#LitsyLove

#Goodreadsgiveaway!
Jump to #goodreads to win your digital copy of the new #psychologicalthriller THE BUG JAR, featuring Samantha Holland--the mentally ill mistress of Chicago mayoral candidate, Richard Harrison, who is accused of murdering Richard's son. The book is loosely based on a childhood friend, an avid reader, who suffers from bipolar disorder and wanted to share her struggle with misdiagnosis through fiction. Good luck!

Chicagoland Littens:
Celebrate independently released mysteries at Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore, 7419 Madison Street, Forest Park, IL during the author's soiree on Sat., Nov. 24 from 10am-5pm. Walk the bookstore's author gallery to interact one-on-one with the Windy City's finest indie writers. Also, discuss the new #psychologicalthriller THE BUG JAR, along with writing, rejection, and publication, with me between 1 and 3pm.
#authorevents

@Ava_Black I FINALLY received my copy you sent me weeks ago. The post office misplaced it 🙄 I will be starting it tonight!!😍😍 thank you sooo much for signing it!

Littens!
WIN a digital copy of the new #psychologicalthriller THE BUG JAR during the #goodreadsgiveaway from now until Halloween! 20 entrants will be randomly selected and your copy will be delivered by Nov. 1. Good luck!
#giveaway #giveaways #booklovers #bookworm #goodreads

LA CROSSE AREA LITTENS!
Join the discussion about writing, rejection, publication, #mentalillness in literature, and the new #psychologicalthriller THE BUG JAR at Pearl Street Books in LaCrosse tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 20 from 2-4 p.m All are welcome. And, oh yes, there will be cheese! Lots and lots of cheese! ❤️
#authorevents #booksigning #bookevent #crimefiction #thriller #mystery #bookevents #womensfiction

CHICAGOLAND LITTENS!
YOU are invited to discuss #politicalcorruption, #mentalillness, murder, and how Chicago's political landscape influenced the plot and characters in the new #psychologicalthriller THE BUG JAR on Wed., Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. at The Book Cellar. Can't wait to see you there! ❤️
#bookevents #chicagolit #chicagoliterary #litevents #authorsignings #womensfiction #crimefiction #suspense #thriller

GOODREADS GIVEAWAY TODAY!

Jump to #goodreads to win your digital copy of the new #psychologicalthriller THE BUG JAR from now until Halloween! 20 readers will be randomly chosen to recieve a copy. Good luck!
#giveaways #giveaway #bookblogger #blogger #womensfiction #crimefiction

Congratulations to the new #psychologicalthriller THE BUG JAR which was downloaded 26 times in the past 50 minutes after becoming available just now on #netgalley.
#reviews #bookbloggers #bloggers #crimefiction #mentalillness #reviewers #womensfiction #bibliophile

This is such a great read, with a really original slant. There‘s cheating politicians, dodgy police Sheriffs, honest detectives and the odd mistress all in a clever thriller. It shows that mental health problems are a normal condition that should be treated just the same as any physical health problem. I really enjoyed this and while a cliche, I really couldn‘t put it down...

”She‘s also got the intelligence to know that drugging me is a great way to accomplish her mission—nobody would believe a depressed, possibly bipolar, insomniac tripping on acid when she says she‘s a state representative‘s lover who suspects his wife is intimidating a witness into withholding evidence about the murder of her son.”.....loving this book

POP-UP GIVEAWAY!
Happy Friday, Littens! Celebrate the week's end with a free paperback copy of the thriller The Bug Jar. Enter NOW, Friday, Oct. 5, between 7 and 9 p.m. CST by dropping the name of your favorite book-to-movie adaptation in the comments. One winner will be drawn at 9. If you don't win, don't sweat it. A limited number of Kindle copies will be given away on Goodreads starting next Friday, October 12. Good luck!
#giveaway
#giveaways

Chicagoland Littens!
Join the discussion about political corruption, scandalous affairs, mental illness, and murder on Sunday, January 13th at 3 p.m. @57thStreetBooks in Hyde Park. The new psychological thriller THE BUG JAR will be discussed as well as Chicago's social and political influence on the novel.
#bookevents
#authorevent
#booksigning
#bookdiscussion
#booktalk
@57thStreetBooks

Looking forward to starting this...